The design team behind SLS Hotel South Beach has revealed key design details in anticipation of its May debut on the site of the former Ritz Plaza Hotel. Design guru Philippe Starck-in collaboration with the hotel’s owner, sbe CEO Sam Nazarian, along with chef Jose Andres and Lenny Kravitz on the penthouse suite-will impart a “dream world” theme that blends Latin, Asian, and Art Deco influences.
Upon arrival, an expansive terrace reminiscent of the outdoor cafés of Paris and Lake Como greets guests. As Starck puts it, the terrace and entrance evoke “a perfect evening during the heights of Portofino: French sophistication and Italian elegance.” Black and white Moroccan tiles set the stage for an eclectic collection of furniture, including a red wheelbarrow bench, a faux tree trunk table, and intricate iron-crafted pieces from Mexico. A whimsical mix of neutrals, pastels, and stripes are accented by classic French bistro chairs in bright orange, yellow, and green.
The reception area depicts a retro American summer camp, showcasing a desk fashioned from a distressed slab of wood and lighting that comes from an antique wood kayak suspended from the ceiling. Vintage stills from camping trips past adorn the wall behind the reception area.
The adjacent Bar Centro creates a distinct environment with its massive red velvet curtains, dark wood furniture, and French bistro tables. Latin and Asian accents play off each other with bold and vivid Cuban paintings, along with black and red carpeting marked with Chinese symbols and a bull’s head designed by Spanish artist Mikel Urmeneta.
For the main dining room at Bazaar by Jose Andres, Starck has created what he calls an “out-of-focus memory of the charming dining room of your grandmother who loved art. Art was everything and everywhere. She loved only one color: acid yellow. And positioned everywhere on this acid yellow are paintings, photographs, bookshelves, and sculptures that re-create for you her rich and foolish sub-consciousness.” Meanwhile, at Katsuya, Starck has implemented two 20-foot tall images of a sharply dressed elderly Japanese man and a woman from the early 1940s. At Hyde Beach, Stack has crafted “sexy hell,” complete with heavy uses of wood, a fireplace, vintage leather sofas, and walls covered with images of legendary Hawaiian surfers from the 1930s and 1940s.
In the guestrooms, Starck has channeled the ghost of the bedroom of Madame de Pompadour, Louis XV’s mistress, by using white and pink to reflect the sophistication of old French aristocracy. An oversized white sofa showcases French detailing, while white wooden tile flooring is paired with an abstract, old-world tapestry carpet that features subtle uses of pink and gray. In the bathroom, Starck’s custom-designed vanity features glass and mirrors brought to life by uses of pink.
